Machine Gun Kelly, Portland Express, Portside

[WHITE BOY RAP] Over the years, hip-hop MCs from MC Serch to Brother Ali have taught listeners that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Even with their teachings, though, it’s hard not to scrutinize a guy like Machine Gun Kelly, a tattoo-covered white boy from Cleveland who wears a faux hawk, calls himself a “wildboy” and likes to stir up shit with other rappers. Portland has an appreciation for these types of acts: Yelawolf, another tatted, crunked-up white rapper, had by far the biggest and most excited crowd out of any hip-hop act at last year’s MusicfestNW. And have you seen downtown when Insane Clown Posse comes to town? It’s like Christmas for those who live every day like it’s Halloween. It makes sense: Portland is one of the whitest cities in America, and people like what they can relate to. MGK may not be the most polished MC, but he does represent an audience here.